FAQ

Booking Travel for University Related Activities

A.Airline tickets (for Visitor tickets see E. below)

1. How should I book my airline ticket?

It depends on the purpose of your trip

All flights for travel related to administrative purposes, including flights for job candidates, must be booked using Vision Travel, either through the services of a travel consultant or directly via the online booking tool.

Flights for academic staff, including librarians, for academic research and teaching purposes are not required to use Vision Travel. This includes flights for visitors (other than job candidates). All staff and faculty may use Vision Travel and benefit from McGill negotiated airline discounts for university related and funded travel. The University recommends using the services of a Quebec Licensed Travel Company.

C. Vehicle Rentals

1. How should I book my vehicle rental?

Vehicle rentals can be booked with any supplier. McGill has agreements with several vehicle rental companies within Canada and around the world. Or book through Vision Travel who has McGill's negotiated agreements and corporate rates with all major vehicle rental companies worldwide.

D. Train Tickets

1. How should I book my VIA Rail tickets?

VIA Rail tickets can be purchased through the McGill VIA Rail landing page (sign in required) or by calling VIA Rail and quoting McGill’s contract number. Payment is by credit card only.

E. Visitor Bookings (see

for further details)

1. How do I book my visitors?

Visitors can book themselves, however if the sponsor would like to have the airfare paid up front by the University and potentially benefit from the McGill discounts, then the booking needs to be made through a travel consultant at Vision Travel.

2. Can I use the negotiated discounts for travel paid from a research fund?

Yes.

3. I am traveling with someone else whose trip is not being paid by McGill University. Can they obtain the same price?

In general these contracts are only applicable to McGill travelers travelling for University-related activities, however there are a few exceptions, check with the Travel Management Company.

4. Can we apply the discounts to visitors/consultants?

Yes, if the visitor/consultant is being paid for by McGill. In order to access the negotiated pricing, someone from a McGill faculty or unit needs to initiate the reservation.

Eligibility for McGill Negotiated Discounts

Please note that discounts do not apply to personal travel except for VIA Rail which allows discounts on personal travel. See the Quick Reference Guide (home page) for further details.

A. Airline tickets

1. What are the requirements to benefit from the McGill discounts?

The airline discounts are accessible to all McGill faculty, staff and students traveling for University- related activities on funds administered through the University and booked through Vision Travel.

Visitors sponsored by McGill are entitled to benefit from these discounts as well. See Visitor Booking Guide

Reservation Process

No, it is not possible to purchase travel through MMP using a Purchase Order. Exception: McGill Official Hotel Program in Montreal and the West Island.

2. Can I use any travel agency or any online booking site to book my airline ticket?

It depends on the purpose of your trip

All flights for travel related to administrative purposes, including flights for job candidates, must be booked using Vision Travel, either through the services of a travel consultant or directly on their booking tool.

Flights for academic staff, including librarians, for academic research and teaching purposes are not required to use Vision Travel. This includes flights for visitors (other than job candidates). All staff and faculty may use Vision Travel and benefit from McGill negotiated airline discounts for university related and funded travel.

Yes. The fee for booking with a Vision travel consultant ranges from $30 to $39.50 per trip, depending on the destination. Booking through VisionLink, is $14 per trip. A trip consists of any or all of these elements:airfare (one way, return or multiple city), hotel and car (if applicable).

4. What if I find a cheaper airfare compared to the quote provided by Vision Travel or via the Online Booking Tool?

The University has a ‘Best available airfare guarantee’from Vision Travel - if the traveler finds a lower fare from another travel supplier licensed in Quebec for the exact same everything, Vision will match the lower fare (certain conditions apply).

5. Can I book VIA Rail discounts through their regular website?

No, these discounts are only available through the McGill VIA Rail landing page (sign in required) or by calling VIA Rail and quoting McGill’s contract number.

No, it varies. These agreements do not preclude you to compare pricing for all airlines flying to your destination.

5. What insurances are included in the vehicle rental contracted rates?

3rd Party Liability Insurance is included in the rental prices. In addition, if payment is made with a McGill issued American Express Corporate card then Collision/Loss Damage Waiver (CDW/LDW) is also included. Further details on insurance guidelines see link.

Online Booking Tool

1. How do I access the Online Booking Tool that houses McGill’s discounted airline fares plus all other airlines?

Already registered with a profile? Log on to VisionLink and enter your username and password.

New user? You must first create your profile. Follow the New User link. Please note that you must wait at least 15 minutes before accessing the site after registering.

2. What personal information will I need to provide in order to create a profile?

Minimum information is required for your profile: email address, first and last name, faculty or unit, office telephone number and your date of birth. That is all that is necessary. The rest of the information is not required to be completed.

3. Can I book tickets for any airline company when using the online booking tool (OBT)?

Yes.

4. Is there any fees for using the OBT ?

Yes, there is a $14 fee per trip booked (one-way, return or multi-city). One trip consists of any or all of these elements: air, hotel and car. If you choose to book only one way and at a later date decide to book your return flight separately, another fee will be charged.

5. Where can I find instructions for the VisionLink OBT?

For instructions, see the Concur Instruction Guide. For issues or help please contact obt [at] visionvoyages.ca (the support team )

6. Is it possible to cancel or change an airline, car rental or hotel reservation through the OBT?

No, you must contact a travel consultant for these transactions.

Payment Information

1. Can I pay for travel with my Pcard?

No. Travel- related expenses cannot be charged to Pcard.

2. Can I request a Purchase Order (PO) through MMP to pay for my travel?

No, Purchase Orders cannot be used for travel with the exception of the MOHP otherwise all McGill related travel can only be reimbursed through Minerva Expense Reimbursement Tool.

3. How do I pay for the airline tickets purchased through Vision Travel?

All airfares purchased through Vision Travel for academic or research related purposes can be paid by FOAPAL form or by personal credit card. Travel for administrative purposes must be paid by FOAPAL form.

4. How do I pay for airline tickets purchased elsewhere?

You must pay with your personal credit card.

5. How do I book and pay for hotels?

You can pay with your personal credit card or through MMP if it is a MHOP property

6. How do I book and pay for train travel?

You must pay with a personal credit card. FOAPAL form is not acceptable for train tickets.

7. How do I book and pay for vehicle rentals?

You must pay with your personal credit card.

8. What insurance is included with the McGill American Express Corporate card?

When you use the McGill AMEX card to rent a vehicle Collision/Loss Damage Waiver (LDW/CDW) is included - ONLY IN NORTH AMERICA.

If renting a vehicle outside of North America contact Royal Sun Alliance 1-800-243-0198 (the Underwriting Department of AMEX ) to clarify coverage in the country where you are picking up the vehicle.

Miscellaneous

Please note that under the Quebec Office de la Protection du Consommateur (Quebec Consumer Protection Agency) all purchases made through a licensed Travel Company in Quebec are protected and subject to a fee of 0.1% ($1 per $1000). This fee will appear on each invoice.

1. Do I still collect Air Canada’s Aeroplan or other travel supplier loyalty points when I purchase an airline ticket through the McGill program?

Yes, all loyalty points remain with the individual traveler.

2. Do I have to use the contracted airlines?

No, you may use the contracted airlines only when appropriate for your travel plans.

Contact Us

Personal Vehicle - read before using your vehicle for University related activity

It is the responsibility of the traveler to ensure that adequate insurance is in place for the use of a personal vehicle for a university related travel.

Personal vehicles are not covered by the University’s insurance policy.

Prior to using a personal vehicle for a University related activity, the traveler must contact their insurance provider to verify all conditions and limitations in their policy associated with such use.

There may be restrictions inherent in the policy with respect to use – other than personal – such as number of passengers and number of kilometers. Additional coverage may be required.

The University does not reimburse for additional personal insurance coverage or any other costs associated with a personal vehicle, except for the car allowance allocated on a per kilometer basis or gas usage based on receipts.

In the event of a claim, the owner of the vehicle will be required to approach his/her own insurer for reimbursement of expenses.

All costs incurred as the result of a collision or other physical damage to a personal vehicle is the responsibility of the traveler and are not reimbursable by the University. Such costs may include but are not limited to: increases to premiums on driver's license, insurance costs and deductibles.

McGill’s Risk Mitigation and Insurance Unit recommend that there be a minimum of $1,000,000 third party liability insurance on the vehicle insurance policy.

Travel Request Outline

To access airline discounts bookings must be made via the University's contracted Travel Management Company or through the online booking tool. If you prefer personalized service via a travel consultant this Travel Request Form could assist in streamlining the process.